Philadelphia priest suspended after allegation of abuse

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has placed a priest on administrative following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor more than four decades ago.

The archdiocese said Sunday that 74-year-old Rev. James J. Collins would not be allowed to exercise his public ministry pending the outcome of an investigation. He was ordained in 1964 and had served in a number of Philadelphia parishes, schools and offices.

Officials said the action is not connected to the cases of priests placed on administrative leave following a grand jury report in 2011. The archdiocese also said no other allegation of that nature had been received regarding Collins.

The archdiocese said an announcement was made over the weekend at Saint Martha Parish in Philadelphia and that crisis counselors had been made available. Officials said that although Collins had lived there, he had no formal duties and did not assist in Masses or make visits to the parish school. A parish official said Sunday that Collins had retired and no longer lived in the area.

Officials also informed Holy Family University, where Collins had been a faculty member since 1976 but retired this year.

A listed number for him could not be found Monday and a message left at an associated address was not immediately returned.